Flotation ore-separator and process



R. GAHL.

FLOTATION ORE SEPARATOR AND PROCESS.

APPLICAflON FILED JUNE 26, I915.

Patented July 20, 1 92.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLF GAHL, OF MIAMI, ARIZONA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PNEU- MATIC PROCESS FLOTATION COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FLOTATION ORE-SEPARATOR AND PROCESS.

' Application filed June 26.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUnoLF GAHL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Miami, in the county of Gila-and State of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ,Elotation Ore-Separators and Promises, of which the following is a specificat.

This invention relates to an apparatus for separating ores into their constituent minerals by flotation, the metal-bearing mineral being made more buoyant than the gangue rock by treatment with oils, etc., and sometimes also with the addition of an acid or other chemical that will react upon one or more of its constituents.

The ore is first suitably ground, the finer grinding usually being done wet. During the final grinding, or thereafter, suitable oilsand acids or other chemicals affecting the flotation are added and thoroughly mixed with the finely crushed ore, which is then ready for treatment in the flotation apparatus. Slimes when treated separately are usually mixed at once with the oils and acid, etc.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus, showing the intake, several separator compartments, air nozzles, the discharge end, and the concentrate launder;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line (L/I- of Fig. 1, showing the separator compartments with adjustable partitions, intake, discharge end, and air-supply;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on the line. 0-?) of Fig. 2, showing the adjustable partition, launder, and air-supply; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are top plan and end views, respectively, of a removable bottom section for holding a porous bottom, such as canvas, or porous plates.

In Fig. 1, a flotation box or tank 1, generally rectangular in shape, having a bottom 2 which may be horizontal or slightly sloping. as shown in Fig. 2, is inserted in a launder 33 carrying water and ground ore, or slimes. the box 1 being generally wider and deeper than the launder in order to reduce the velocity of the ore-flow. A covered intake 4 connects launder 2 with the supply opening 5 of the flotation box, delivering the mixed ore and water into the lower part of compartment 6 below the water-level, and in which the mass is sub- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1920.

1915. Serial No. 36,480.

treatment. The mass of pulp remainingin compartment 6 passes under the depending adjustable gate 11 in partition 12 into compartment 13, wherein it is further acted upon by currents of air-bubblespassing upward through the porous bottom 14, the concentrates again collecting on the surface of the pulp and flowing over the edge 15 into the concentrate launder 10. The pulp remaining in the compartment passes under the depending adjustable gate 16 in partition 17, up through the passage 18, and over the baffle 19 into the next compartment 20, and then to the succeeding compartments, where the concentration process is repeated. With coarsely crushed ore, or heavy mineral concentrates, it is sometimes desirable to supply compressed air from a series of jets, or a perforated pipe 21, to the pulp flowing through the passage 18, thereby stirring up the ore and water, and preventing any accumulation of pulp on the bottom of the tank and in the passage. The battle 19 is used only when the machine is made very long. In that case there would be a tendency for the liquid pulp to accumulate to greater depth at one end than at the other end of the machine. Batfles like the one marked 19 will prevent this by maintaining a certain depth of the pulp at the head end of the machine Passages 18 and battles 19 may be provided after all of the depending adjustable gates, if desired. The gates 11, 16, 26, which serve to restrict the passages 35, may be adjusted 'to different sized openings to accommodate the varying quantities of ore passing through the machines. IVith restricted passages 35 a hydrostatic head will establish itself between the feed and tail end of the machine which will force the pulp through the passage with a certain velocity. In this manner the settling out of sands on the bottom of the machine is prevented. The uprising currents of air-bubbles being only gentle in character will not be sufficient for this purpose. The depending gates 11 and the partitions 12 to which they are fastened have to be provided at intervals not exceeding a certain length, so that the pulp does not get a chance to settle while passing through the Whole length of the machine. After treatment in the last compartment 25, the exhausted pulp,

or tailings, passes under the adjustable gate 26 in the end 27, up through the tailings passage 28 and over the end or tailings discharge baffle 29, which may be made adjustable, into the discharge chute 30, any concentrate in the pulp in compartment 25 being retained by gate 26. The end baflle 29 establishes a level for continuous discharge not very much lower than the level of the launder 3 at the feed end, and also in connection with baflles 19 maintains a gradual fall in level throughout the separator, requiring very little mill head in operation. In case air jets are used in the passages 18 and 28 the baffles 19 and 29 may be lifted even higher than the pulp level in the feed launder as the air jets help to lift the pulp. The number of baffles 19, and of passages 18, and their sizes, throughout the machine, may be varied by the character of the ore or slimes being separated. The dimensions of the passages 18 and 28, and the height of the baflles 19 and 29 will also be determined by conditions; the passages- 18 and 28 may be of the width of the tank, as shown, or they may consist of pipes, provided their area is sufficient to carry off the tailings. The area both of the passages 18 and 28 is kept small, so that the pulp is forced to pass through with a certain velocity owing to the greater hydrostatic head that will establish itself in this case. With a suflicient velocity no sands will settle out, although in the interest of safety air-jets 21 are generally provided.

The porous bottom 7, 14, which may consist of porous plates, canvas, or similar material, distributes the air current uniformly over the entire area. It may be placed along the entire bottom of the tank, but is preferably secured, in sections, to funnel-shaped, or box-like supports 33, which are connected to the air-supply pipe.

I claim 1. A flotation ore separator comprising a flotation tank divided into f'rothing compartments by partitions not reaching completely down to the bottom of the tank, a concentrates delivery, and a whole flow tailings discharge extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank beyond a frothing compartment.

2. A flotation ore separator comprising a flotation tank divided into frothing compartments by partitions not reaching completely down to the bottom of the tank, a concentrates delivery, and a whole flow tailings discharge extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank beyond a frothing compartment, each compartment having a porous bottom and means for supplying air to said porous bottoms.

3; In apparatus of the character described, a tank having a horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed through which a gaseous medium is delivered for the. purpose of aerating the liquid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, said tank having a series of spaced partitions whose lower edges terminate above said permeable bed, said partitions being movable toward and from said bed and adapted to constrict the openings beneath the partitions and create eddies in proximity to the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in the eddy created by the next succeeding partition.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adjustable to ward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy createdby the next succeeding partition.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agi- 110 tated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the next succeeding partition, said tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the 115 liquid level in the tank.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid 0011- 120 tents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and 125 to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the next succeeding partition, said tank 11 having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank, and said tank having a bubble overflow at its upper portion.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions andto form eddies in the flowiing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspensiogLbynpassing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the nextsucceeding partition, said tank having a weir at its tail end form'- ing a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank.

8. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the next succeeding partition, said tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings-and for main-. taining the liquid level in the tank, and said tank having a bubble overflow at its upper 40 portion.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a tank adapted to contain pulp composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said tank having means for aerating the pulp and forming bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous' the inlet from the separating portion of the tank tothe upcast chamber.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank to contain pulp composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said tank having means for aerating the pulp and forming bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous constituents of imity to the inlet from the separating portion of the tank to the upcast chamber.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a tank adapted to contain pulp composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said tank having means for aerating the pulp and forming bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous constituents of the pulp, and said tank having an overflow andan upcast chamber in one end'through which a the coarse sands of the pulp are discharged,

and an uplifting means entering said chamber'below the level of the inlet thereto, and operating against the sands to keep the latter in motion and to accelerate their passage through said chamber, said aerating means and uplifting means both operating vertically in proximity to the inlet from the aerating portion of the tank to said chamber.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a tank adapted to contain pulp composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said tank having means for aerating the pulp and forming bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous constituents of the pulp, and said tank having an overflow and an upcast chamber in one end through which thecoarse sands of the pulp are'directed, and means for admitting a gaseous medium under pressure into the chamber below the level of the inlet thereto for agitating and uplifting said sands and accelerating the flow thereof through said chamber, said aerating means. and uplifting means both operating vertically in proximity to the inlet from the aerating portion of the tank to said chamber. 1

13. A flotation tank adapted to contain pulp composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said tank having a separating chamber and an upcast chamber separated therefrom except through a constricted passage for rejected constituents of the pulp; means for aerating the pulp in the separating chamber; and uplifting means operating in the upcast chamber, said aerating means and. uplifting means both operating vertically in proximity to the inlet from the separating chamber tothe upcast chamber.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed through which a gaseous medium is delivered for the purpose of aerating the liquid contents of the tank, means for delivering a gaseous medium through the bed, said tank having a spaced part1- tion near the discharge end thereof and whose lower edge terminates above said bed, said partition forming between itself and the adjacent end wall of the tank an upcast passage, and said partition being movable toward and from said bed to constrict the opening beneath the partition and thereby regulate the velocity of the flow of pulp into the upcast chamber, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said upcast passage below the level of the inlet formed by the partition and bed.

15. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying fine streams of a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through said bed, a vertical partition in the tank spaced from an adjacent wall thereof and movable toward and from said bottom and adapted to adjust the passage beneath the partition and thereby regulate the velocity of the passing pulp and to maintain the sands of said pulp in suspension in the space between the partition and the Wall of the tank, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said space below the level of the inlet formed'by the partition and bed.

16. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying fine streams of a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering a gaseous medium through said bed, a vertical partition in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passage beneath the partition and regulate the velocity of the passing pulp, said partition forming an upcast passage for the pulp and said tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said upcast passage below the level of the inlet formed by the partition and bed.

17. The process herein described of separating the metalliferous from the nonmetalliferous ingredients of an ore mass composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said process consisting, essentially, in aerating the mass in a tank to produce bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the non-metalliferous particles of the mass; flowing the rejected constituents of the mass through a constricted opening into a separate chamber of the tank; and giving a positive upcast to the rejected particles and maintaining substantially a balanced relation of the bodies of liquid in the separating and upcast chamber of the tank.

18. The process herein described of separating the metalliferous from the nonmetalliferous ingredients of an ore mass composed of powdered ore, water and a frothable agent, said process consisting, essentially, in aerating the mass in a tank to produce bubbles which separate the metalliferous from the nonmetalliferous particles of the mass; flowing the rejected constituents of the mass througha constricted openinginto a separating chamber of the tank; and introducing a gaseous medium into said chamber below the level of said opening to give a positive upcast to the rejected particles, and to maintain substantially a balanced relation of the bodies of liquid in the separating and upcast chambers of the tank.

19. In apparatus of the character described, a tank having a substantially horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed through which a gaseous medium is delivered for the purpose of aerating the liquid contents of the tank, means for de livering the gaseous medium through the bed, said tank having a series of spaced partitions whose lower edges terminatev above said permeable bed, said partitions being adapted to constrict the openings beneath the partitions and create eddies in proximity to the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in the eddy created by the next succeeding partition.

20. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a substantially horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adapted to constrict the passages no beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the next succeeding partition.

21. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a substantially horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspen sion by passing under one partition will be caught in an eddy created by the next succeeding partition, said tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank.

22. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a substantially horizontal bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying a gaseous me dium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through the bed, and vertical partitions in the tank adapted to constrict the passages beneath the partitions and to form eddies in the flowing pulp in the vicinity of the partitions whereby sands agitated into suspension by passing under one partitioln will be cau ht in an eddy created by the next succeedin partition, said tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank, and said tank having a bubble overflow at its upper portion. I

23. In apparatus of the character described, a tank havinga bottom forming a permeable bed through which a gaseous medium is delivered for the purpose of aerating the liquid contents of the tank, means for delivering a gaseous medium through the bed, said tank having a spaced partition near the discharge end thereof and whose lower edge terminates above said bed, said partition forming between itself and the adjacent end wall of the tank an npcast passage, and said partition being movable toward and from said bed to constrict the opening beneath the partition and thereby regulate the velocity of the flow of pulp into the upcast chamber, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said upcast passage below the level of the inlet formed by the partition and bed.

24. In apparatus of the character do scribed, the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying fine streams of a gaseous medium into the'fluid contents of the tank, means for delivering the gaseous medium through said bed, a vertical partition in the tank spaced from an adjacent wall thereof and movable toward and from said bottom and adapted to adjust the passage beneath the partition and thereby regulate the velocity of the passing pulp and to maintain vthe sands of said pulp in suspension in the space between the partition and the wall of the tank, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said space below the level of the inlet formed by the partition and bed.

25. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank having a bottom forming a permeable bed for supplying fine streams of a gaseous medium into the fluid contents of the tank, means for de livering a gaseous medium through said bed, a vertical partition in the tank adjustable toward and from said bottom and adapted to constrict the passage beneath the partition and regulate the velocity of the passing pulp, said partition formin an upcast passage for the pulp and sai tank having a weir at its tail end forming a discharge for tailings and for maintaining the liquid level in the tank, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to said upcast passage below the level of the inlet formed by the partition and bed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUDOLF GAHL.

W'itnesses:

JoE'B. STRATTON, MYRTLE M. STRA'r'roN. 

